Research

Our research has included studies on:

forest productivity

provenance trials

community ecosystem project

thinning trials

assisted migration adaptation trial

genetic trials

agriculture trials

Education

The Research Forest is the perfect place to learn about Yukon’s forests. Over 300 youth have visited the research forest to date in 2018. High school students attend the Envirothon at the Research Forest every September.

Recreation

Our trailsWe have over 13 km of trails at the Research Forest. They are open to the public. Hikers, bikers and skiers make use of our trails, benches and viewing areas. You can take a quick stroll or a long hike. We just added a new 1.5 km bike trail in 2017 and a bike skills park in 2018.

Geo-cachingWe have 10 educational geocaches along or near the trails. When you find the treasure box you can read an educational card inside and learn about the forest or about research activity nearby. Register for a free geo-caching account to find the coordinates of the treasure boxes.

Parking: Available directly off the North Klondike Highway

Pets: Pets are welcome, but please keep them on a leash and clean up after them.

History

The Gunnar Nilsson and Mickey Lammers Research Forest was originally reserved in 1964 by the Canadian Forest Service for the purposes of forest research and forest management studies.

Following transfer to the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development in 1971 a number of studies were established and some infrastructure developed but no long term plans were ever put in place.

The forest came under Yukon government management in 2003 as a result of devolution.

Strategic plan

The research forest is unique in the circumpolar world because of its overall size, length of time it has captured research data and representative environmental values. The strategic plan outlines the government’s vision and values associated with the future use of the research forest. This vision sees a forest that showcases sustainable forest management in Yukon and promotes excellent forest research, stewardship and provides opportunities for forestry education and recreational activities.